The Loop NFL Picks: Week 15

The Vikings' Adrian Peterson runs for some of his 154 yards against Chicago's Major Wright (21) and Henry Melton (69) Sunday, December 9, 2012, at the Metrodome. (Pioneer Press: Chris Polydoroff)

Every Thursday, we make our predictions against the latest Las Vegas point spread, the way God intended ...

Vikings at Rams (-3):

Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson says that Eric Dickerson should be nervous that his NFL rushing record of 2,105 yards could be in jeopardy. For his part, Peterson should be nervous that he's the only member of the Vikings' offense that can walk and chew gum at the same time.

Pick: Vikings by 3

Packers at Bears (+3):

Chicago is all in a panic over the Bears' recent troubles, as they have lost four of their past five games. Bears fans are so obsessed by their team's troubles, they briefly have forgotten that they live in a corrupt, bankrupt urban wasteland.

Pick: Packers by 9

Redskins at Browns (+1):

The father of Robert Griffin III says he expects his son to play in this pivotal game for the suddenly wild card worthy Redskins. That's easy for him to say since his knee didn't bend like Beckham four days ago.

Pick: Browns by 4

Giants at Falcons (-1½):

Playoff positioning is on the line when these NFC division leaders meet in a rematch of their 2011 wild card playoff game. The Falcons are taking steps to avenge their loss and plan to actually bring an offense to the game this time around.

Pick: Giants by 5

Buccaneers at Saints (-3½):

New Orleans got some good news this week when the Bountygate suspensions were vacated. Star quarterback Drew Brees, however, did not offer an immediate comment to Paul Tagliabue's decision as he was too busy planning his next six interceptions.

Pick: Buccaneers by 3

Steelers at Cowboys (+1½):

Dallas nose tackle Jay Ratliff reportedly got into a "volcanic" exchange with Jerry Jones in the locker room after their Week 13 victory over Philadelphia. Witnesses stressed that the Cowboys' owner was never in as much danger as he would have been, say, if he had accepted a ride from Josh Brent.

Pick: Steelers by 3

49ers at Patriots (-5½):

The 49ers suspended former New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs after he made disparaging remarks about the team on Twitter. NFL observers were shocked by the news as they had no idea that Jacobs was still playing football.

Pick: Patriots by 3

Seahawks at Bills (+5½):

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says he felt badly for the Arizona Cardinals and denied that his team ran up the score during Sunday's 58-0 rout. Of course, it's very likely sneaky Pete wasn't telling the truth. He showed the telltale sign that he was lying: His lips were moving.

Pick: Seahawks by 8

Lions at Cardinals (+6):

Larry Fitzgerald's father, Larry Sr., accused the Cardinals of quitting on the season after their 58-0 loss to Seattle last Sunday. The elder Fitzgerald says the Cards exhibited all the signs of quitting that he saw several decades ago when he quit ordering salads.